WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2995/98 by Roberto MEZZAROMA to the Commission. Reform of the law on representation in the armed forces in Italy
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, MEZZAROMA
Subjects: Italy, armed forces, freedom of association, fundamental rights, military personnel

C 96/156

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.4.1999

(1999/C 96/224)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2995/98

by Roberto Mezzaroma (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Reform of the law on representation in the armed forces in Italy

On 21 July 1998, the defence committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies approved the text of a law aimed at
reforming the system of representation in the armed forces.

The substance of the law reveals the lack of a political will to undertake an innovative reform of the system of
representation in the armed forces so as to improve the conditions of military personnel.

The law has been met with complete indifference and has failed to prompt any critical reaction on the part of
military personnel, indicating a serious and alarming lack of concern about the law(cid:146)s content.

For many years the fundamental rights of military personnel in the armed forces of European countries have been
enjoyed wide-ranging and comprehensive protection under the law. In view of the fact that in 1985 and 1997 the
European Parliament adopted a recommendation stating that military personnel should be allowed proper and
effective representation, does the Commission not consider it necessary to make a specific recommendation,
without encroaching on the autonomy of the Italian Parliament, that the new law, which is set to be approved by
the Senate, should incorporate the constitutional right to the protection of the fundamental and inalienable rights
of association and be brought into line with similar laws in other European countries as part of a unified defence
policy in the WEU?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1998)

The right of association falls outside of the scope of Article 2 of the Agreement on social policy (Article 137 of
the new Treaty). The issue of the right of association of the members of the armed forces falls exclusively within
the competence of the Member States.

(1999/C 96/225)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2998/98

by Renate Heinisch (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Information on the level of EU aid paid to universities and research institutes in Baden-W(cid:252)rttemberg in

1997

For what measures was Community funding paid to universities and research institutes in Baden-W(cid:252)rttemberg in
1997, and how high were the grants from

1.

the Fourth Framework Programme for activities in the field of research and technological development and
demonstration,

2.

the Community programmes in the areas of energy and the environment,

3. Community initiatives, particularly the Interreg programme,

4.

5.

the Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and Youth for Europe programmes,

other Community programmes?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as
soon as possible.